How to celebrate World Kindness Day

World Kindness Day is an internationally recognized day of being kind to each other. Since it’s creation in 1998, the World Kindness Movement has encouraged people to treat other people with compassion and empathy. While they wish everyday could be Kindness Day, they ask that you at make a concerted effort on November 13th. Now kindness is something that I find to be extremely lacking in our society. Just common niceness, treating people with respect by default, seems to be something going out of style. Admittedly, I understand if oppressed people aren’t going to treat their oppressors with respect, and I don’t expect otherwise. But when it comes to just two people are relatively equal footing, why not just be friendly? Why would you be hostile right off the start? I try to put out random acts of kindness when the moments arrive. However, even I could work on my general kindness.

So here is a big list of some ways that we can all celebrate World Kindness Day! Some are random acts, some are general attitudes and behaviors, and some are a bit of both. They range from small, instantaneous actions to larger projects.

Smile at everyone you make eye contact with

Say thank you to a family member you appreciate

Compliment a stranger

Put up a bird feeder

Try to be that person who always has a piece of gum or a tissue

Send a card to an elderly family member

Offer to do an extra chore

Remind someone you know with mental health that you are there for them

Let me know if you celebrated World Kindness Day and how you did it! It’s a great time to remember that we are all just people trying our best. Not only do we all deserve some more kindness in our lives, but being nice to others just makes you feel better in general. So take some time, whether it’s on Nov 13th or not.